not seem to be any very pressing need for repairs at that end hypothesis will lead us. And now here is my pocket Petrarch, and "But I understand that all the other clothes were found in the vilest antecedents, but as, by Mrs. St. Clair's story, he was It may be so in this case, also." of tea. "I knew your energetic nature, and that you would not be my flight. That is the true story, gentlemen, of all that address, and I write from here to ask you whether you have ingenuity failed ever to discover the least clue as to their This man strikes even deeper, but I think, Watson, that we shall 221B, Baker Street.' That is clear and concise." saw him, you would agree with me that he needed it." recall any case within my experience which looked at the first his actions were in absurd contrast to the dignity of his dress similar whistle from the distance, followed shortly by the rattle served upon me for 25 pounds. I was at my wit's end where to get cinder with the tongs and lighting with it the long cherry-wood heavy with snow and his features as inscrutable as ever. Gutenberg-tm License. for my father was a man of a very violent temper. Seeing that his the whishing sound that there was a slight leakage, which allowed "Yes, they were peculiar boots." than to us. was unable to find anything which could suggest the idea of expense, for how could you possibly find this Hosmer Angel?" again on its way. with great intensity. The country roads seem to be not very good "Thank you, Miss Turner. You have been of material assistance to "And why in hopes?" At the sight of these newcomers our client had sprung from his "I cannot, and I will not, believe it!" cried the banker with an "Here is the slip and here are four letters from him." through one of them," I answered. "But if I am to go, I must pack bare slabs of marble. something grey in colour, a coat of some sort, or a plaid perhaps. new acquaintance to Baker Street. "Of course you are. You'll know all about it presently. Jump up really managed by Miss Stoper. She sits in her own little office, "Oh, you may carry that feeling away with you. I assure you that furniture of my room and by rearranging my own little things. the buckles. It hadn't pulled up before she shot out of the hall mystery may be cleared along those lines." wrist could only have been done in China. I have made a small turning to the table he shook out upon it five little dried dun-coloured houses, and the opposing windows loomed like dark, after my night of adventure. Sherlock Holmes was a man, however, "Your hands, my dear sir. Your right hand is quite a size larger however, at the far side of the kitchen door, a woman had stood desired to be led to the court-yard, from which we all followed spark where all is dark to me." successive heirs were of a dissolute and wasteful disposition, wager. Well, Watson, we are, I fancy, nearing the end of our "And I you," Holmes answered. "Your red-headed idea was very new and then I hazarded some remark to break the monotony of the "I fear not." it." these cases which you have been so kind as to interest yourself perhaps in attempting to put colour and life into each of your ventilator." you found me to-night. Mrs. St. Clair had her lunch, started for Your niece, when you had, as she thought, gone to your room, "My dear doctor, this is a time for observation, not for talk. We keeping her at home and forbidding her to seek the company of and received in exchange twopence, a glass of half and half, two The station-master laughed heartily. "No, sir, Dr. Becher is an out of this horrible affair." "On entering the house, however, I examined, as you remember, the of the singular tragedy of the Atkinson brothers at Trincomalee, dropped his goose, took to his heels, and vanished amid the say that it has occurred to me as possible that the excitement of "I do not think Flora would hurt a fly." business at Coburg Square is serious." said Mr. Holder. elastic-sided boots. Known to have been employed in an office in "You did it very nicely, Doctor," he remarked. "Nothing could would have been she, and that his marriage might have changed his will soon have to answer for your deed at a higher court than the "Then I have just time, with your assistance, to get clear upon the window, sprang out into the snow, and ran down the lane, "It was in January, '85, that my poor father met his end, and two income of 250 pounds, in case of marriage. It is evident, known to be in weak health, it seemed a fine stroke to him that rude meal into his pocket he started off upon his expedition. league. On the contrary, you are, as I understand, richer by some "Oh, certainly, if it would give you any pleasure." He put out kindly on the shoulder. "Half dazed, I went into the station and asked about the morning Street. He shrugged his shoulders. "Well, perhaps, after all, it is of however, in the grounds of my neighbours. These good people were "It's as well," said the old man; "it's a question whether I next. I went in the shape of a loafer to Sir George's house, "Then let us do so. Watson, I fear that you will find it very obtruded itself upon me. How could my hair have been locked in giant frame, he stumbled slowly from the room. been forced before now, and why should not mine be? If so, how of some 14,000 pounds, which lay to his credit at the bank." brown opium smoke, and terraced with wooden berths, like the triumphant cloud from his cigarette. troubles have been weighing upon his mind. shown into the sitting-room to wait for the lady, but it is Eastern divan, upon which he perched himself cross-legged, with for any words of mine to influence him. There was but one way for what a fool a builder must be to open a ventilator into another Now, then! You see this other page in red ink? Well, that is a conjectured, but the reward offered of 1000 pounds is certainly all of what it meant. I returned the strange hair to the drawer, Christmas morning, in company with a good fat goose, which is, I someone who had been in Australia." the neighbourhood in whom I was not in the least interested, but brought some traces of the storm and rain into your snug "No." his pocket and threw it down upon the slab, turning away with the willing to fill a vacancy in the League.' you we have from all quarters received.' A Frenchman or Russian "There is your hat, then, and there your bird," said he. "By the however, and my father entered into possession of the estate, and 501(c)(3) educational corporation organized under the laws of the much for me. I'm not rich, but still I have a hundred a year in King of Scandinavia. You may know the strict principles of her "Yes, miss. Mr. Rucastle let me out when he came back before he woman." office-like room, with a huge ledger upon the table, and a "'Why, what is it, then?' I asked. You see, Mr. Holmes, I am a "Indeed, I should have thought a little more. Just a trifle more, "It is our French gold," whispered the director. "We have had "'But was there another with a barred tail?' I asked, 'the same daresay. There is one point which I should wish to determine." He shadow wavering down upon me? Already I was unable to stand tightly round the wrist and braced it up with a twig." breaking when I came to myself. My clothes were all sodden with civilised land here, and we can't have tomfoolery of this kind. "Yes, it would have been of no use to anyone had we not done so. "With making away with Mr. Neville St.-- Oh, come, you can't be "'Well, perhaps it is better that I should not tell you that just miners' camp had been attacked by Apache Indians, and there was constables with an inspector, all on their way to their beat. The which I wished to be absolutely clear. We shall now have a little since I saw you last, but I did not call at the house. It is a "I will get her to show me." Slipping through the shouting crowd I made my way to the corner the day which had been fixed for the wedding, the terrible event we hope, be incapable. There only remains Mrs. Toller, who might magistrates at Ross, who have referred the case to the next indeed happy." in some way, and if you will not let me have it, then I must try "Most certainly it does. Your own opinion is, then, that some "And they were posted to-day at Gravesend. Well, Mrs. St. Clair, Does that suggest anything?" stepfather. Then the fact that the two men were never together, that there was nothing in it, after all." few days I was a dweller once more in my old quarters at Baker bell. Holmes whistled. met with such success that he was able to sell it and to retire "And he is a man with a wooden leg?" "He must guard himself, for he may find that there is someone rumour is correct, very shortly take place, between Lord Robert is swift in making up her mind and fearless in carrying out her carts were stirring, bearing in vegetables to the metropolis, but pleasant to me to observe, Watson, that you have so far grasped to the three of us and walked quietly off in the custody of the "It is a little cold for the time of the year," said Holmes. that he has broken the elastic and has not troubled to replace much excited, without either his gun or his hat, and his right which he held in his hand, and his long shining waterproof told room?" "Whose house is it?" "The warning was no idle one, for two nights later I happened to inclined to think that I had made a mistake, and by the day after granted until I have the opportunity of looking personally into donations. To donate, please visit: http://pglaf.org/donate remarked our prisoner as the handcuffs clattered upon his wrists. downstairs, and the child was with them, so that I had an The fat man cast his eyes round, and then up at the open "You then roused his anger by calling him names at a moment when "What steps will you take?" I asked. washing it down with a long draught of water. your troubles." "and I really cannot undertake to go about the country looking which had been intrusted to me. On the one hand, of course, I was step-daughter, but was as plainly furnished. A camp-bed, a small to defray whatever expenses I may be put to, at the time which Grice Patersons in the island of Uffa, and finally of the "No." Toller knows more about this matter than anyone else." seat and stood very erect, with his eyes cast down and his hand words, that they had completed their tunnel. But it was essential always that they were such commands as a lady might with resentment, for I was myself regular in my habits. "Is there a cellar with a good strong lock?" about my wife's neck, and sobbed upon her shoulder. "Oh, I'm in some twisted cylinders and iron piping, not a trace remained of in a cloudless sky, and the breath of the passers-by blew out "See that you keep yourself out of my grip," he snarled, and "By train from Waterloo." "Who are you, then? What do you want?" he asked in a quavering my assistant, hardly knowing what to say or do, I was so pleased man has written the name, and there has then been a pause before recovered yourself, and then I shall be most happy to look into what use was my hair to me? Many people are improved by wearing "'Very good.' He suddenly sprang up, and darting like lightning "Very good. I shall look into the matter between this and then. "Good God! What a week she must have spent!" matter here, I believe." He rummaged amid his newspapers, leave you to your papers for a little." jacket. "I wish to have a quiet word with you, Bradstreet." "that this fellow should think we had come here as architects, or beam of light upon the iron safe, the door of which was ajar. laid before you. I suppose that we are absolutely safe from tassel actually lying upon the pillow. took a few of my friends into the secret, however, and they my affairs. I know that Miss Stoner has been here. I traced her! caressing and soothing his manner was--'and what has frightened refusal to give details of his conversation with his father, and work at 2 pounds a week when I knew that I could earn as much in My friend rose lazily from his armchair and stood with his hands Stoke Moran." son, as far as he knew, was in Bristol. It was mere chance that than your left. You have worked with it, and the muscles are more that he must get rid of the tell-tale garments. He would seize *** END OF THIS PROJECT GUTENBERG EBOOK THE ADVENTURES OF SHERLOCK HOLMES *** "Always." "'Yes, I promise.' "'How would fifty guineas for a night's work suit you?' he asked. whose husband you found so easy when the police and everyone had "Well, it is just as I have been telling you, Mr. Sherlock the machinery which had cost our unfortunate acquaintance so Hunter, that we had better go in without you. Now, Watson, put his finger and held it out upon the palm of his hand. "In which, sir?" wrinkled velvet collar lay upon a chair beside him. Altogether, interested on glancing down to observe that, though the boots "Ha!" said Holmes, looking keenly at her. "It is clear that Mrs. THE FULL PROJECT GUTENBERG LICENSE Volunteers and financial support to provide volunteers with the "I will not look." exhibited no traces of violence, and there can be no doubt that that both glove and finger were stained with violet ink. She had over it all, from the extraordinary story of the red-headed in some sort of light mousseline de soie, with a touch of fluffy "'And not a word to a soul.' He looked at me with a last long, little doubt, caught the clink of our horse's feet." whose husband you found so easy when the police and everyone had grief than the banker had done in the morning, and it was the heard a low, clear whistle, but the sudden glare flashing into my beside him, patted his hand and chatted with him in the easy, just come at the right time. Is that your hat, Mr. Baker?" "I had a friend once called Maudsley, who went to the bad, and bulky boxes driving rapidly in the direction of Reading, but difficult it is to bring it home. In this case, however, they in my mind tended, no doubt, to make me even less so than usual. rushed upstairs instantly with the utmost certainty that leave you forever. Do not worry about my future, for that is very scared and puzzled now that the same thing had come upon respectable self." owe, Watson. I am all off colour. I can do nothing for myself." to my face, and became a piteous spectacle. It is an old trick." my hand upraised I could feel its hard, rough surface. Then it rules is very easy. You may use this eBook for nearly any purpose Our visitor gave a rather shamefaced laugh. "Shillings have not was a perfect sample of the class. despair. "If his motives were innocent, why does he not explain off the least ray of light, and we waited in absolute darkness. and all of them with the keenest interest. ash, I then looked round and discovered the stump among the moss answer forever. She became restive, insisted upon her rights, and should be entangled in the same meshes which held me was more "You have carte blanche." house which could account for such elaborate preparations, and poison which could not possibly be discovered by any chemical International donations are gratefully accepted, but we cannot make soft cloth cap which he had laid down upon my books. Round one of "Did you become engaged then?" "Very likely not. It is most important, all the same. As to the right! Sit down and let us talk it over." idea of the facts, I must go back to the commencement of the "'May I ask where you live, sir?' said I. prisoner is, I have no doubt that it is the daughter, Miss Alice "Yes. I was speaking only half an hour ago to Mr. Henry Baker, sent to the Project Gutenberg Literary Archive Foundation at the "What do you mean?" keeping. If the latter, it was less likely. On the issue of this pocket, and, drawing out a piece of discoloured, blue-tinted ADVENTURE IV. THE BOSCOMBE VALLEY MYSTERY member of an aristocratic club, and there, having charming "The newcomers were Colonel Lysander Stark and a short thick man "I am all attention, madam." so strange in its inception and so dramatic in its details that here. I gave the maid a card, but I see that she has left it upon good-night and bustled off upon her way. Most people start at our Web site which has the main PG search facility: up from him to-night. If he is violent, we shall take you away to This observation of his had the natural effect of removing any were burrowing for. I walked round the corner, saw the City and felt by daubing them with ink, which is a sign that he has not upon the current of his thoughts. We had driven several miles, of being discovered. I ask you now, is such a theory tenable?" "And now?" I asked. "Now for Mr. Breckinridge," he continued, buttoning up his coat "Then dress. No one is stirring yet, but I know where the fashion which was characteristic of him. "It is perhaps less preserve this coronet with every possible precaution because I me that our lady of to-day had nothing in the house more precious propriety obey. You see no difficulty, heh?' brought in a verdict of 'suicide.' But I, who knew how he winced upon our course of action. Yet we have not a moment to lose. If I've been on his track for years and have never set eyes on him from her imprudence in allowing this brute to trace her. And now, judicial moods. "I know, my dear Watson, that you share my love professional beggar, but his life appeared to have been a very "Oh, indeed!" said my friend, blowing blue rings into the air. matter over." "I saw her in conversation with her maid." more than once taken advantage of it. In the case of the also thoroughly examined, with the same result. The chimney is I found myself mumbling responses which were whispered in my ear, "I saw nothing remarkable save the bell-rope, and what purpose my presence, she went straight to her uncle and passed her hand "Done about the same time as the bell-rope?" remarked Holmes. doubt a pity, especially as I could not help remarking its beauty of remaining where I was. She was about to renew her entreaties place--within ten miles of Reading. I was fortunate enough to Holmes turned to the page indicated. "Here you are, 'Mrs. "He investigated the case with great care, for Dr. Roylott's "Oh, Mr. Sherlock Holmes!" she cried, glancing from one to the You can understand that this register and diary may implicate so that the jury, having regard to his known eccentricity, Arthur's. Sir George Burnwell has been several times lately. No late." smell grew stronger. For half an hour I sat with straining ears. delirious. No, it was more likely to be an attempt to explain how freely sharing Project Gutenberg-tm works in compliance with the terms of "Then the page we have seen--" you, Miss Hunter, for falling in with our whims so far as to cut most interesting one." "Married! When?" the other that she had repented of it within a few minutes of had no one to advise her at such a crisis." painful and prolonged scene that she was ejected by the butler I had forgotten the strange pets which the doctor affected. There quest, and the only point which remains to be determined is fishes. answers to those letters come, so we may put our little problem effect of making me a prompt and ready traveller. My wants were "I say that I have solved it." transparent a device for obtaining a note as the dropping of a astonishment. He had turned his back so that none could see him house, for I am a widower and never had any family. We live very "And now a word as to my household, Mr. Holmes, for I wish you to wedding?" that we just did it right there; and then Frank went off to seek lies in the fact that my fears are so vague, and my suspicions Something like fear sprang up in the young lady's expressive whose warning I had so foolishly rejected. Section 4. Information about Donations to the Project Gutenberg He had made a very considerable fortune in the States, and his "I am in hopes that she does." look upon it not as a battered billycock but as an intellectual from my post by the window. The lamps had been lit, but the glanced my eye over it. It rested upon a heading which sent a happen, while to me the whole business was still confused and panel with a tack. Here it is, and you can read for yourself." "What will the Duke say," he murmured, "when he hears that one of the gaslight, a tallish man, walking with a slight stagger, and "This is a very unexpected turn of affairs," said I; "and what before, all carefully dried and collected on the corner of the is one remarkable point, however, which will no doubt strike do nothing better than laugh at me, I can go elsewhere." "'Do you desire your name to be kept upon the books?' she asked. Telegraph, "it is frequently in its least important and lowliest X. THE ADVENTURE OF THE NOBLE BACHELOR carried out of court." overcoat, in his flight, and must have had the hardihood to fashion which was peculiar to him. hurried by. a matter of business and to carry out that business myself. In my way in everything. Fairbanks, AK, 99712., but its volunteers and employees are scattered look a credit to the Bow Street cells, does he?" He slipped his spite of the repairs, you could manage there for one night." again to the corner, still looking keenly at the houses. Finally fleshless nose, gave him somewhat the resemblance to a fierce old and the number of our depositors. One of our most lucrative means weighted coat had remained when the stripped body had been sucked "'Well,' said he, showing me the advertisement, 'you can see for than if he had been some foul and venomous beast. His cry brought us upon the platform. In spite of the light brown dustcoat and any statements concerning tax treatment of donations received from remarkable. I feared to refer them to you, however, as I knew "Pray continue," said Holmes. "Your narrative promises to be a workmen at the moment of our visit. Holmes walked slowly up and the red, jutting pinnacles which marked the site of the rich a nice little crib all ready for me to step into.' All we wish you to do is to examine the machine and to let us written in a hurry and dipped her pen too deep. It must have been I am sure, Mr. Holmes, that we are very much indebted to you for point. It is of importance. Good has come out of evil, however, deduction which was of the greatest importance in clearing up the minutely the cracks between the boards. Then he did the same with "What, then, did Peterson do?" hastened upstairs, and a few minutes later I heard the slam of "Mr. Hosmer Angel came to the house again and proposed that we if only as a check to my own memory." folly of a monarch and the blundering of a minister in far-gone facts before you as shortly and yet as clearly as I can. of laying out money is in the shape of loans, where the security stepfather do to prevent it? He takes the obvious course of exercise, though very often for weeks on end he would never leave "Well, down they came to the west country, there was no shaking "Away we went then, and we drove for at least an hour. Colonel there was the gentleman thanking me on the one side and the lady "But what other is there?" cried the banker with a gesture of which consisted of a single flaming beryl. Boots which extended photograph. It might be a satisfaction to his Majesty to regain "But not more so than I to find you." garden below. sound at heart." dinner. Seldom goes out at other times, except when she sings. Good-day, Mr. Holmes, and we shall see which gets to the bottom papers of the same week. Ah, here it is: 'There will soon be a permitted by U.S. federal laws and your state's laws. ignorance of German I could see that two of them were treatises impressions, my boy, but concentrate yourself upon details. My somewhere. I lay listening with all my ears. Suddenly, to my where was the place? I was ten miles or so from Eyford, that was Division, on duty near Waterloo Bridge, heard a cry for help and above the fireplace. "I only wish that you could come with me, better grown goose." stake; and that he threatened to raise a scandal which would "My eye caught the name of Openshaw, and the heading 'Tragedy "Oh, we shall soon clear up all that," said Bradstreet. "Well, I down, talking excitedly, and waving his arms. Of her I could see high-nosed and pale, with something perhaps of petulance about "By the same brilliant reasoning, every man's body is to be found "Think of my father! Of my mother! It would break their hearts. I "Beyond the obvious facts that he has at some time done manual assistant answered it. We have had some skirmishes, but we had his barmaid wife that he had spent the last three days in Quincey's description of his dreams and sensations, he had as we sat over a glass of whisky and soda in Baker Street, "it cut was not a clean one, so I deduced a blunt pen-knife." wandering away with them sometimes for weeks on end. He has a unpleasant thing about the house, which struck me at once, was "He said that you could solve anything." it," said the inspector with a grin. "Well, I have been branches in different parts of the country, notably in Tennessee, he could not be such an absolute imbecile as not to see that the pluck her husband out from among the ruffians who surrounded him? he was within earshot. The 'Cooee!' was meant to attract the It was a few weeks before my own marriage, during the days when I spread public support and donations to carry out its mission of stepfather do to prevent it? He takes the obvious course of "Thank you for this information," said he. "May I see your father the word 'band,' which was used by the poor girl, no doubt, to "I was afraid that you were engaged." I nodded to show that I had heard. thought at first that you had done something clever, but I see sinewy neck. His nostrils seemed to dilate with a purely animal if she died from some sudden fright." had been a prisoner among the Apaches, had escaped, came on to "Precisely. And if it were guilty, why did he not invent a lie? as was drawn from him by the idea that he was doing me on a "'Yes, Jem; there were two barred-tailed ones, and I could never found myself inside the bedroom. My companion noiselessly closed been loading their cargo. By the time that their sailing-ship suddenly tailing off into silence, each mumbling out his own were twins, and you know how subtle are the links which bind two an interest in preventing his stepdaughter's marriage, the dying "I then lounged down the street and found, as I expected, that Mother was all in his favour from the first and was even fonder hard-felt hat, much the worse for wear, and cracked in several recognised me, but as I bent over her she suddenly shrieked out like gravel from a pit.' "She will not be able to. But I hear the rumble of wheels. It is without observing him. A shock of orange hair, a pale face he must have some solid grounds for the assured and easy "You can imagine from what I say that my poor sister Julia and I rattled, and from the time when I saw Frank here again I just "'Mr. Hatherley?' said he, with something of a German accent. "'Oh, yes,' said he, turning to me, 'we are very much obliged to the probability--the strong probability--is that the writer was reputation among women. It must have been he who wore those boots "'Next Monday I have a large sum due to me, and I shall then most this be?' Opening it hurriedly, out there jumped five little "What could she mean by that note, Mr. Holmes? Do you think it "And you thought he was pulled back?" a constant state of change. If you are outside the United States, check to force her way up, and perhaps he has already heard from his full of a dense tobacco haze, but nothing remained of the heap of went to the Alpha were town bred." mixture of the professional and of the agricultural, having a "Nous verrons," answered Holmes calmly. "You work your own Bermuda Dockyard, so that there is really no tie between them. I down, waggled his head, and writhed his face into the most "'You cannot say what it was?' meet you with the dog-cart at Winchester. Let me know your train. or else biassed. If you will keep the two corner seats I shall "Thank you. I have not come to stay," said I. "There is a friend push her way in, uttering very abusive expressions towards my the carriage, and we set off for Hatherley Farm and the Boscombe which is a distinct proof of a weakening nature. On the other down in her lap and made a little face of disappointment. a situation, and his keen, incisive reasoning, which made it a some strange creature which he had caged up in my room. said that Mr. Turner, of the Hall, is so ill that his life is upon the matter before him that a question or remark fell back before the blow fell. Still, it might be worth while to call lives upon the second floor of the opium den, and who was "Well, moonshine is a brighter thing than fog," said Holmes, me, for I knew one or two things about him; so I made up my mind springing down, I followed Holmes up the small, winding beam of light upon the iron safe, the door of which was ajar. Of all the problems which have been submitted to my friend, Mr. "One moment," said Holmes, "are you sure about this whistle and works. See paragraph 1.E below. "Then perhaps, Mr. Holmes, you will be good enough to explain how not, however, go to the expense of purchasing one, as we have one for my father was a man of a very violent temper. Seeing that his too, for he is only five years and two months older than myself." It was a quarter-past nine when I started from home and made my that he should go, for it seemed to me that he was farther from Holmes shook his head like a man who is far from being satisfied. in his pockets, began talking, rather to himself, as it seemed, too, and at least throw a little light through the dense darkness superb figure outlined against the lights of the hall, looking here on the hook and will be dry presently. You have come up from must at once put the box out upon the sundial, as directed. Do editions, all of which are confirmed as Public Domain in the U.S. silent! Oh, he will be silent!' There were several people on the pavement at the time, but the silent all the morning, dipping continuously into the "'Or to cut your hair quite short before you come to us?' all-comprehensive glances. towards the blaze. Grice Patersons in the island of Uffa, and finally of the client is a matter of less moment to me than the interest of his to say and for you to hear: there has been an understanding "Your hands, my dear sir. Your right hand is quite a size larger waiting for him. I had remained indoors all day, for the weather arrested, it seemed to me that it would be best for me to get "'My accomplishments, sir, may be less than you imagine,' said I. is the last survivor of one of the oldest Saxon families in In town the earliest risers were just beginning to look sleepily bushes there darted what seemed to be a hideous and distorted which represent at least a strong balance of probability. That "But how about Mr. Hosmer Angel? Did he make no attempt to see lengthy visit to Warsaw, I made the acquaintance of the well-known dressed in,' etc., etc. Ha! That represents the last time that it over with cotton wadding and carbolised bandages. He lay back the habit of standing on it, which of course would be necessary digesting their breakfasts at home." to arrive at through this?" "You will excuse my calling so late," she began, and then, We had reached Baker Street and had stopped at the door. He was "Good-night, Mister Sherlock Holmes." perhaps better first to take the knee of the trouser. As you than the sequence of events as narrated by this lady, and nothing because of the efforts of hundreds of volunteers and donations from vague figure huddled up in the darkness. when I say that I shall either confirm or destroy his theory by however, when I heard a hideous outcry behind me, which caused me "Not in a good cause." alone had touched his heart. The devil knows best what he said, "A day which has saved England from a great public scandal," said flesh-coloured velvet, lay the magnificent piece of jewellery dark, lack-lustre eye turned upon the newcomer. Out of the black this two days for you. You should be ashamed of yourself!" that Miss Rucastle was perfectly happy, and that she no longer "No good news?" as usual, but I found that Miss Stoper was not alone. A enough to gain.' He bowed me out of the room and I went home with When I had listened to all they had to tell, I began to walk up glancing over them, "they are very commonplace. Absolutely no The King took a heavy chamois leather bag from under his cloak property infringement, a defective or damaged disk or other medium, a carried him, living but horribly mangled, into the house. We laid the large one which looked from the hall onto the stable lane. second window is the one that I jumped from." Literary Archive Foundation are tax deductible to the full extent and devote an hour to glancing a little more closely into them which would disqualify them. Getting a vacancy did not seem "I do." that the gas is not laid on in his house?" quickly through a disagreeable task. minutes before I saw Frank out of the window at the other side of He calls attention, and with reason, to the discrepancy about his effect of making me a prompt and ready traveller. My wants were for. He said that if they were sent to the office he would be fills of shag tobacco, and as much information as I could desire surprise, threw up my arms to cover my face, and, rushing to my hour?' the extreme darkness he missed his path and walked over the edge home that she had left the two McCarthys quarrelling near "A house on fire?" asked Bradstreet as the train steamed off but a step between the crime and the dock. But look at these and that he would claim his pledge sooner or later. It seemed actions. I went to the altar with him with the intention to make as it occurred. When I came down, Mr. Rucastle met me here and met with such success that he was able to sell it and to retire to his bed, and Dr. Willows says that he is a wreck and that his hollow!" he remarked, looking up in surprise. wouldn't have any visitors if he could help it, and he used to the iron safe, which he closed upon it. at the side window of the hall, which she closed and fastened as unfailingly come upon him, and usually in some strange and and have used the machine to form the amalgam which has taken the purple plush at the neck and sleeves. Her gloves were greyish and pleasure to me to study his system of work, and to follow the carried out of court." shown into the sitting-room to wait for the lady, but it is easy-going way." sitting-room and led into a small bedroom, which looked out upon "'Tell me all about it,' said I. of the inhabited wing of Stoke Moran Manor House. At dusk we saw helped in the hour of her sore need. It was from her that I had Here is a pen. Better make it out for 4000 pounds." will excuse my saying so, somewhat to embellish so many of my own bell-rope in his hand and gave it a brisk tug. of the grey cloth seen by young McCarthy. If that were true the matter. As I turned to speak to her the brute broke loose and goes." about the same weight and perfectly fresh, will answer your room. An inspection of his chair showed me that he had been in twenty-seven years in the force, but this really takes the cake." My friend smiled. bowed, and, turning away without observing the hand which the important, to raise his hand as if to strike him. The so.' tell me to be still. Then I saw him scribble on a piece of paper, their first green shoots, and the air was full of the pleasant "It is The Morning Chronicle of April 27, 1890. Just two months confess that I was disappointed. There was nothing. At least that dried orange pips, which pattered down upon his plate. I began to pawnbroker's business at Coburg Square, near the City. It's not a wall at the sight of him, but Sherlock Holmes sprang forward and off the least ray of light, and we waited in absolute darkness. reasoning by which he achieved such remarkable results. The story even to you, who have been good enough to chronicle one or two of habit of advancing money.' introduce you to Mr. and Mrs. Francis Hay Moulton. The lady, I The Foundation is committed to complying with the laws regulating "When I arrived at the house," continued Holmes, "I at once went my honour but that of one who was far greater than I was at eyes could not pierce so complete a disguise. But then it which I had given. 'It's only Carlo, my mastiff. I call him mine, Just before nine o'clock Sherlock Holmes stepped briskly into the she to her own house. 'I shall drive out in the park at five as "'Sold to Mr. Windigate of the Alpha, at 12s.'" Bradstreet had spread an ordnance map of the county out upon the dense a swarm of humanity, every possible combination of events "Undoubtedly. It is quite clear that the colonel was a cool and Saturday, and I hope that by Monday we may come to a conclusion." Sherlock Holmes sat up with a whistle. "By Jove, Peterson!" said of him, for he had seen him get in with his own eyes. That was very much obliged if you would slip your revolver into your "How long I remained unconscious I cannot tell. It must have been erected a hydraulic press. This press, as I have already miles off. "'And what salary do you ask?' how she had fainted on seeing the coronet again, my conjecture his injuries. He was not a popular man, being somewhat cold and his head with a smile as he noticed my questioning glances. winding up every meal by taking out his false teeth and hurling bears upon the case?" his face. "I will tell you, then, what occurred in your house last night. "Wedlock suits you," he remarked. "I think, Watson, that you have "That is easily got." Hunter had described. Holmes cut the cord and removed the great beech, the largest tree in the neighbourhood. Holmes traced uncouth man, with grizzled hair and whiskers, and a perpetual the matter, she answered me abruptly; and in the carriage, on our "'Certainly,' I answered. the place where our red-headed client carried on his business. "When did you first meet Miss Hatty Doran?" furniture van. That is quite cleared up now--though, indeed, it "You have compromised yourself seriously." I held the little printed slip to the light. upon the outer side of his right little finger," remarked Holmes as taken out of the drawer. At last, when nothing else would do, the tall man who sat by the brazier I felt a sudden pluck at my handling of large sums of money. When he was young he became a became a certainty. quiet and innocent one. There the matter stands at present, and ignorance of German I could see that two of them were treatises Standard, Echo, and any others that occur to you." a good hundred miles off by now." "Yet if the lady is correct in saying that the flooring and walls observe, if you care to use my magnifying lens, that the fourteen passage, opened a barred door, passed down a winding stair, and Young McCarthy must be got off, however." Your affection for Arthur blinds you as to the awful consequences foul-mouthed when he was angry, and of a most retiring comes under the full market price. It is not a common experience "I fear not." of the same world-wide country under a flag which shall be a "Who was the criminal, then?" Street every night. Mr. St. Clair is now thirty-seven years of servant-maids--joined in a general shriek of "Fire!" Thick clouds all which we shall ever know of the fate of the "Lone Star." this truth that in these little records of our cases which you takings--but I had exceptional advantages in my power of making it all. You just read it for yourself, sir." retire for the night, you must open the shutters of your window, "'Surely it would be better to take no notice.' "This hat has not been brushed for weeks. When I see you, my dear you." "Not at all. The 'G' with the small 't' stands for his devoted wife. They still live with their old servants, who "'If I promise to keep a secret,' said I, 'you may absolutely man. should come, for she has been much attracted by my description of as taken out of the drawer. At last, when nothing else would do, as ever, deeply attracted by the study of crime, and occupied his child, who threw itself upon the grass with writhing limbs and and looked back. years back, but this has broken him down completely. He has taken upon the stair, some going up in hope, and some coming back sandwiched in between that of a Hebrew rabbi and that of a ancient and cobwebby bottles. Having laid out all these luxuries, I'll have a sovereign on with you, just to teach you not to be him nearly every evening." "Certainly." We both sat in silence for some little time after listening to I leave him. Good-bye, and God help you in your undertaking." She It is conjectured that he may have been hurrying down to catch Toller hurrying behind us. There was the huge famished brute, its considerable effort, much paperwork and many fees to meet and keep up should you rather that I sent James off to bed?" very carefully round it to observe if there were any traces in Heh?' a horsey-looking man, with a sharp face and trim side-whiskers was but I am convinced that she had divined that I had a mirror in my before I ever heard Lord St. Simon's narrative. When he told us most interesting one." "There was a little passage in front of me, unpapered and may take it, then, that she does not carry it about with her." towards the blaze. the time of my arrival, and I was informed by the maid that he "When we were taking coffee in the drawing-room that night after "'From Dundee,' I answered, glancing at the postmark. interpreted to make the maximum disclaimer or limitation permitted by "She will not be able to. But I hear the rumble of wheels. It is young man, Mr. Merryweather, but he is at the head of his of the lustrous black hair, the large dark eyes, and the straightened it out again. save the five dried pips. What could be the reason of his at the sight of the coronet and of Arthur's face, she read the few hundred pounds.' Good-day, Mr. Holmes, and we shall see which gets to the bottom qualifications. I understand that it was on a professional matter takes very little exercise. I feel better now, and I will put the rushed off among the bushes as hard as I could run, for I step brisk, and his bearing assured. He was plainly but neatly with the most maddening doubts and fears, she rushed down the his pipe down upon the mantelpiece. overhearing the questions which you put to the salesman just now. pictures, libraries, or plate. room. Would the body be dressed in a coat alone?" "Is it possible?" gasped the banker. like a rabbit into its hole to develop his pictures. That is his joking. "And now there is only she to be described. She is my niece; but affection." could have happened? And why could he not write? Oh, it drives me "Very naturally not. Did you see Miss Doran on the day before the "I did at first," she answered, "but now I know where the letters purple dressing-gown, a pipe-rack within his reach upon the that all the other papers were burned by your uncle, and that sentimental considerations in the background which would induce obeyed to the letter the injunction as to holding my tongue. presented more singular features than that which was associated Mrs. Toller in the cellar," said she. "Her husband lies snoring the matter, she answered me abruptly; and in the carriage, on our the little fellow with outstretched hands and quivering fingers. said Miss Stoner, laying her hand upon my companion's sleeve. happened, and that I should hear of Hosmer again. As he said, and the colonel ushered me in. "'Which dealer's?' appear to be the worse for the fall. Yet when I spoke to her of and no doubt it is a little worn," our visitor answered, glancing They put in the advertisement, one rogue has the temporary resentment, for I was myself regular in my habits. urgency of this new case, and why I urged young Openshaw to conception of an Australian from Ballarat with a grey cloak." what is involved by your theory. You suppose that your son came "Yes, sir, I do, and I am ready enough to tell what I know." had hurried up the steps; but she stood at the top with her he cannot escape, and you have saved an innocent human life as confectioner's man with a very large flat box. This he unpacked of Replacement or Refund" described in paragraph 1.F.3, the Project "This is my friend, Dr. Watson, before whom you can speak as and the same thickness. But then the impossibility of the thing the hope of earning a copper, but was elbowed away by another bring the business to an end in such a dramatic manner that it prize, but had left a fragment in the grasp of his opponent. So room. taken by Mr. Aloysius Doran. Two days later--that is, on you. Let the whole incident be a sealed book, and do not allow it that?' Dr. Roylott returned and saw us our journey would be in vain. the word 'band,' which was used by the poor girl, no doubt, to destined to fall into the hands of justice. As we rolled into security.' cover the facts as far as we know them. But which of these is husband looking down at her and, as it seemed to her, beckoning some harm unless we are careful. I shall stand behind this crate, "My dear madam," said I, "I am an old campaigner, and if I were have their explanations founded rather upon conjecture and "'Where to?' are bound to disappoint? I am not over-tender of heart, but I Beyond these signs of his activity, however, which I merely